Keisha Knight Pulliam Launches Venture Capital Fund For Black Women Alongside Black Girl Boss Author Arian Simone
A cultural shift is among us, more and more Black women are taking a leap of faith moving from working the typical 9-5 job, to pursuing their own passions. Owning a business can be quite rewarding espcially with the shocking wage gap for Black women in comparison to their White male couterparts. However, entrepreneurship comes with its challenges. But you know us Black women—where there's a will, there's a way!
Actress Keshia Knight Pulliam and entrepreneur Arian Simone have joined forces to put on for women of color. Many of us are familiar with Keshia as 'Rudy Huxtable' and you might be familliar with Arian, who an author of books like My Fabulous & Fearless Journey: From Homeless to Hollywood, and all-around Girl Boss.This dynamic duo has launched a venture capital fund for Black women entrepreneurs.
This is amazing news since Black entrepreneurship plays a large role in bridging wealth gaps within our community. These ladies are dedicated to addressing the issue of inequality and the lack of equity, by providing monetary funds.
The venture capital adopted the name the “Fearless Fund” and Pulliam and Simone will be investing $5 million to support startups created and founded by women of color, at the pre-seed, seed-level, and for a series of funding.
Keshia Knight Pulliam wrote on Instagram: “We’ve been busy!! Only 2% of Venture Capital Investors are African American & less than 1% are women. We decided to be a part of the solution by investing in our community!!”
The Fearless Fund will have a mentor program and has already established an extensive network. Some support includes youngest-ever Hollywood producer Marsai Martin, The 22 Fund Managing Partner Tracy Gray, and OBGYN and cast member of Married to Medicine Dr. Jacqueline Waters to name just a few! Additionally, the Fearless Fund has already hosted pitch competitions at Facebook Headquarters and Spanx Headquarters.
Ultimately, Keshia Knight Pulliam and Arian Simone are shifting the narrative and potentially changing the lives of many women of color and we couldn’t be happier. This fund is for us and by us, so it’s up to us take the opportunity to shine!
